Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 13, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
You can, if you desire, adjust the width of table columns by using the mouse. (Just click on the column dividing line and drag it one way or the other.) If you want to adjust the size of table columns so they are precise, it's pretty hard to do using the mouse. You can precisely adjust column width by following these steps:
Figure 1. The Column tab of the Table Properties dialog box.
If you find, after performing the above steps, that the column widths don't "hold" to what you specify, it could be that your settings are being overwritten by another table setting. Go ahead and, once again, display the Table Properties dialog box, but this time display the Table tab. Near the bottom of the dialog box, click the Options button. Word displays the Table Options dialog box. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2. The Table Options dialog box.
You want to make sure that the Automatically Resize to Fit Contents check box is cleared. Now you should be able use the earlier steps to set column width, and it should work just fine for you.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5928) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
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2022-11-10 04:56:53
Patrick
Re: Precisely Adjusting Table Column Widths..
Did everything you wrote...
Still does not work (Office 365)
2021-11-23 11:05:32
Janki Bhalodia
Your article was very helpful to me for adding a page break in continuous table. Thank you!
2021-11-04 18:44:26
David
This has never worked, for decades, and still doesn't.
There is no way to fix a table row width in Word such that it is not being automatically resized later on.
2021-04-06 23:45:49
Dan Fisher
My columns continue to revert even after I make sure that the "Automatically Resize to Fit Contents" check box is cleared. Anything else you can suggest I try?
2020-12-09 13:19:34
Amy McLaughlin
Allen Wyatt, you beautiful man, thank you.
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